- Debate -

This is your chance to weigh in on a top of mind debate that has been dragging on for years in our household, with recent point of views being added by our tween & teen. The controversy: What's the difference between a walk and a hike? Obviously we can't disagree with the fact that they both involve putting one foot in front of the other, commonly known as walking. So what needs to happen for a walk to become a hike?

Google "what is the difference between walking and hiking" and it will yield over 37 million results. So ya, it's a legit question AND there are a lot of different views on how to answer it. Browsing through some of the articles written in an attempt to answer the " walk vs hike " enigma it becomes apparent that how strenuous a walk is; on what surface the walk takes place; whether elevation gain will be involved; how long the walk takes; and in what country you are will influence the answer.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a walk as "to go on foot for recreation and exercise"† and a hike as "a long walk or walking tour"†. Clearer? Like many, you might argue that many hike recreationally and for the exercise so is hiking simply a synonym of walking?

Conclusions like these are when avid outdoor enthusiast like myself can get, let's say, a little agitated. Of course a hike isn't "just" a walk! If we dive into the history of hiking -- and I'll spare you the "back in the Stone Age mankind was walking so it can be assumed they were hiking since then" discourse† -- it's agreed that there's no conclusive evidence to identify the beginning of hiking. However, there are usually two camps, the first look to the early milestones of mountaineering like the 1874 ascent of Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, by Grove, Gardiner, Walker, Sottajev and Knubel or the first ascent of the highest summit in the world, Mount Everest, in 1953 by Norgay and Hillary. The second recognise the contribution made by Philippe Bussemer from Baden-Baden (Germany) and think of him as the father of hiking as we know it today. At the end of the 19th century, Bussemer opened the first tourist office in the Black Forest. He published hiking maps and hiking guides for the Schwarzwalderein association responsible for managing the nature and trail signposting in the Black Forest.† What both these views add to defining a hike is the idea that hiking is embedded in nature and/or mountains.

Which brings us to the type of surface consideration. Walking takes place on any type of terrain but usually without any obstacles. Hiking on the other hand is thought of as taking place on nature trails going through forests, over pastures, following coastlines, winding up mountains or crossing deserts. These surfaces tend to be more irregular, rough and hilly. Because of this terrain, hiking is often a more strenuous form of exercise than walking.

When out hiking, more often than not, it also involves walking from a lower elevation to a higher one. Granted, that's not always the case but even so, hikers will often track their accumulated ascension over their route to gauge progress rather than only distance. 

And the most important distinction, according to my kids, has to do with the length of time one is required to walk. To them, anything which involves walking beyond 2 hours can only be called a hike. For them the where, on what, and the elevation are almost irrelevant. How long it will take is THE measure to how strenuous it will be. And a hike is strenuous, especially when they think about it before actual hitting the trail. Ya, even in my outdoor loving family I haven't managed to groom always-happy-to-hike kids!

And here's another curve ball to consider, what country you're in. It will make all the difference in answering our conundrum. In the US and Canada, a long vigorous walk usually on trails is called a hike. Cross the pond and head to the UK where you'll refer to any form of walking as walking whether it's a stroll in the park or backpacking for multiple days. In Australia you'll be bushwalking and in New Zealand you're tramping. 

What's indisputable is the fact that the difference between a walk and a hike is personal. It will have to do with personal experience, environment and culture. No matter the distinctions we attribute to the different forms of walking, all forms are beneficial. So go ahead and head out for a walk, a hike, a ramble, a bushwalk, a trek, a thru-hike, or a walkabout...

It's time to weigh in on the debate. Let us know in the comments below what's the difference for you between a walk and a hike? 

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† https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/walk
† https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/hike
† Fun fact, it's assume that Ötzi the caveman climbed the Alps 5000 years ago. Granted he was probably hunting or escaping danger but hey, we'll take it ;)  Learn more about Ötzi at National Geography.
​† https://www.blackforest-tourism.com/discovery/hiking

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